GMB Drivers At DPD To Stage Protest Over Pay Cuts And Enforced Hours

Members driving for DPD have been backed into a corner by these arbitrary and detrimental changes to their contracts in the run up to Christmas says GMB

GMB Scotland members driving for DPD delivery firm will protest tomorrow (Tuesday December 5) over pay cuts and enforced working hours.

150 Owner Driver Franchisees [ODFs] will stage a demonstration at the firm’s depots in Glasgow, Uddingston, Edinburgh and Dundee from 0600.

The ODFs are angry about arbitrary and detrimental changes made to their contracts by DPD.

These changes involve a reduction of delivery rates on a sliding scale, additional forced weekend working which GMB believes enforces a breach of the Working Time Directive (WTD), and have been introduced on a "take it or leave it" basis.

There is also strong evidence of drivers being forced to drive overloaded vehicles.

Some members suggest servicing and repairs to leased vehicles are inadequate.

Others claim they have been overcharged for work, charged for work which was unnecessary, or even charged for work which was not done.

GMB’s attempts to meet with the company have been rebuffed.

DPD views ODFs as self-employed, even though they have no control over changes to their contracts cannot determine what days, hours, or routes they work and can only take two non-consecutive, unpaid, weeks off per year.

They are also subject to a £150 "breach" charge if they take an unauthorised day off due to sickness or bereavement, which the company views as a breach of contract.

Calne Waterson, GMB Scotland Organiser, said:

“Our members driving for DPD have been backed into a corner by these arbitrary and detrimental changes to their contracts.

Their delivery rates have been slashed, which amounts to a pay cut , while they are now subject to enforced hours which GMB believes is in breach of the working time directive.

On top of all this, the company has either ignored or refused GMB’s attempts to meet and discuss the drivers' concerns.